Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

Only one book is worth reading: the heart.

In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.

Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open.

People who study a lot but don't practice are like a ladle in a soup pot. It's in the soup every day, but it doesn't know the taste of the soup.

Insight knowledge comes from direct experience, not from intellectual understanding.

Don't try to push away the darkness. Just light a lamp. The darkness will disappear by itself.

The more clearly you see the arising and passing of phenomena, the less you will be attached to them.

The root of all mind is your own present pure awareness. Rest in that essence without seeking elsewhere.

Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.

The root of all suffering is ignorance. The antidote to ignorance is wisdom that realizes emptiness.

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

What you are is what you have been. What you'll be is what you do now.

Not by hatred is hatred conquered, but by love alone. This is an eternal law.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

The practice is simply this: keep coming back to your breath during the day. This will give your mind a steadiness and your life a balance.

Concentration is a cornerstone of mindfulness practice. Your mindfulness will only be as robust as your capacity to ground your attention in the present moment.

When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

If you want to know your past life, look at your present condition. If you want to know your future life, look at your present actions.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

The three characteristics - impermanence, suffering, and non-self - are not philosophical concepts but aspects of experience to be directly observed.

Real happiness lies within. It cannot be found in external objects or achievements.

Leave your front door and your back door open. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Just don't serve them tea.

Every sensation shares the same characteristic - arising, passing. Arising, passing. Learn to observe objectively.

Don't try to change the world. First, change yourself.

The mind is the forerunner of all things. Our present life is the result of our past thoughts, and our future life will be the result of our present thoughts.

We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.

Life is nothing but a continuous chain of sensations. Pleasant or unpleasant, observe them objectively.

Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.

When the mind is ready to understand, the truth will come to meet it.

Silence is so much more productive of wisdom and clarity than thinking.